[Saltie]

I went to atlantis in Clawson and was talking with the owner about Filtration, he suggested the mudpak system which was a 20 gallon long tank with 4 baffles, bio balls, 2 bags of mud($140 value)all together for 400 dollars. My questions are...

How many of you have used this setup before?Do you have any complaints about it?

Is this a good deal?


FYI i have a 90 gallon tank with live sand so far and planning on purchasing live rock soon. I still have to cycle the tank so i have some time to read and research this new hobby. I plan on growing corals. Your suggestions or comments will be appreciated as i need some guidence in the succesful direction.

 

[fishguy0226]

Well I also have a 90 gal. and I use the ecosystem (mud system) similar to what you described. I have the one rated for 90-135gal. and at first I thought it was great, no skimmer just let it go and trim the calurpa back/feed the tangs with it. I even sold some to my lfs. Now after about 1 1/2 yrs. I finally had to buy a skimmer to handle my nitrates even though you're not supposed to need it. The lfs I bought my system from uses the ecos w/skimmers now also. When I get another (larger) tank I won't use this filter again, instead I will probably go with a refugium type(similar to eco only not as expensive to set up) and a remote sump with a large skimmer. Just get a good skimmer if ya get one, don't waste your money on a cheap one. It will pay off!
Good luck with it, and welcome to our addiction[-jump2]

Scott

 

[fishguy0226]

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. The replacement mud for and eco is really expensive as well and if you try to skimp and don't change it after about a year it will crash. If it crashes you crash.

 

[Jimbob]

I'm with Scott on this one too... actually given a choice between either a really good skimmer, or a mud-type filter, I'd take the skimmer. Best best is to take the 20 long you discussed, get your own baffles cut, make the first compartment big enough for your skimmer, make the middle compartment for housing live sand, live rock, and caulerpa algae, then the final compartment just large enough to house your return pump.

 

[hjmtv]

I agree with above, Don't bother with the ecosystem. Spend the money on an Aqua-C skimmer and you'll get much better performance. Follow Jimbob's advice and set up a fuge in your sump and you'll be much happier in the long run.

 

[rscdragon]

I have used both types of filtration and I would go with a good skimmer.

 

[mopar man]

I started my tank with a sump and skimmer then switched to the ecosystem and sold the skimmer. I don't know if it is better but my tank is doing great and I like it.

 

[BeakerBob]

I started my tank with a refugium and miracle mud. Ran great the 1st year, then started having problems with cyano. Changed out the mud and it's doing great again. The mud is very expensive! Will probably get a skimmer to see if that will eliminate the cyano problem next time it appears.

 

[rscdragon]

I also had a problem with cyno when I used the mud. I related to it putting to much nutrients into the water. I just didn't have enough animals in there to use them up.

 

[mhltcob]

I've used both systems and think the mudsystems are just overpriced refugiums. I dont believe the mud is critical in the success of refugiums and is way overpriced. I would choose either refugium in conjunction with a protein skimmer or just a skimmer. Nothing beats a skimmer as far as consistant performance. Skimmers dont crash and require minimal maintenace. If it were me i would spend that 400$ on a euroreef 6-2 or aqua-c ev series skimmer or better yet if your handy make a refugium that incorporates one of these skimmers.

 

[Saltie]

Thanks for all your comments, I am going to buy a refuge from one of our members and invest the money saved in a skimmer.

Saltie

 

[hjmtv]

Yea!!! Another hobbiest saved from the lfs scam!! Keep us updated on your progress.

 

[mhltcob]

although overpriced, i am glad that lfs's carry ecosystems and cpr aquafuge's. At least if the customer is paying more they are paying more for something that works. It's not like paying 200-300$ for a wet-dry that you strip down to just the tank once you learn what you are doing. These companies brought a mass produced product that because they are or will be carried at most lfs, will make beginners chance of success higher. I'd much rather see beginners be pushed into buying these, then being pushed to buy a tidepool wet-dry along with a sea clone skimmer. Not everyone is lucky enough to find sites like this or reefcentral before they buy. until the day when lfs's carry quality skimmers, this will remain the best option that they have to offer.

 

[Jimbob]

There are plenty of LFS that carry quality skimmers, including Pet Connection, Fish Doctors (both Ypsi and Canton), Preuss, etc. I do agree that I would rather see folks get a mud filter rather than a big wet/dry, however I would even better prefer to see LFS sell refugiums and high quality skimmers. Rick Preuss of Preuss Pets in Haslett is very good in this area. With almost every new system he sells, he has a refugium custom made (from a 20G, 30G, or 40G tank) with baffles, etc. and then sells either a Euro-Reef or Aqua-C along with it. He bakes the cost of the high quality stuff right into the price of the system and still manages to be pretty competitive.

 

[hjmtv]

Saltie, I have a Red Sea Berlin skimmer that I can let go fairly inexpensivly. I am not in love with the quality of the thing but if your looking for something quick, it fits the bill. I would recommend you search the net for reviews on skimmers and then make a decison. Good luck.

 

[mhltcob]

preuss is the only one i am aware of. I didnt see any nice skimmers at pet connection, maybe i missed them. What do they have i will prob be going there over the holidays? Preuss is the only place i know of that makes the custom refugiums also. Im not aware of any detroit area stores that do this although hopefully they will pick up on it soon.

 

[Jimbob]

Pet Connection carries Aqua-C... at least the H.O.T. Aqua-C's. They have a Remora Pro out on display. Fish Doctor's in Ypsi at least used to have some nice ASM (Euro-reef copy) skimmers out on display, but I admit that I have not been in there in months. As for Metro area stoes and customer refugiums, both Atlantis and Aquatic Discoveries will have customer refurgiums made... even to your specified dimensions if desired. I just saw a custom refugium in Aquatic Discoveries the other night that they custom made to fit in the bottom of an Octogonal stand... it was an Octogonal refugium. Preuss, or course, carries great stuff.

 

[mhltcob]

Is atlantis worth the drive from E.lansing? I have not been there although ive heard the name pop up a couple of times. By the way i was at aquatics a week or two ago. I have to say there sps frag tank has so much potential but i never see much in there. Am i hitting it on the wrong days? the frags they did have were dirt cheap.

 

[Jimbob]

IMO, no... Atlantis is not worth the drive from E. Lansing. It is an OK store with decent prices, but it is about the same size as my garage and Dean seems to always have a lot of dead animals in his tanks. He has good prices of softie frags and shrooms though.